ASU Sun Devils ranked No. 19 in AP preseason poll

The first Associated Press preseason poll emerged Sunday for college football’s top 25 teams, and Arizona State finds itself in the field.

The Sun Devils placed No. 19 in the new poll, just ahead of Kansas State and immediately behind Ole Miss.

The 19th spot is the same position ASU found itself in Sports Illustrated’s top 25 list, which was released last week.

The Sun Devils won the Pac-12 South last season and were 10-2 before losing their final two high-stakes games. They lost several key players on defense, but have quarterback Taylor Kelly, running back D.J. Foster and wide receiver Jaelen Strong, among others, coming back for the 2014 campaign.

ASU opens up it season at home against Weber State on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Florida State, Alabama and Oregon took up the top three spots, respectively, in the AP poll.